The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart [17th Century Christian Allegory] [Illustrator Signed]

Author: Comenius, Johann Amos [Komensky, John Amos] (1592-1670)

Publisher: Golden Cockerel Press

Illustrator: Illustrated by Dorothea Braby

Edition: No. 204 of a Limited Edition of 370 copies

Condition: Very Good
Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket As Issued

Signed by the illustrator Dorothea Braby on front free endpaper and inscribed ‘For Cyril Stearns with grateful thanks for his help with this book from Dorothea Braby April 1951′. Original white cloth, Decoration stamped in gilt. Top edge gilt; 4to; 10.25 inches tall; 271 pages. Introduction and 56 illustrations by Dorothea Braby; bound and designed by Christopher Sandford; Translated by Count Lutzow. No. 204 of a Limited Edition of 370 copies. The bindings are tight and square. Text clean, light even toning. Moderate shelf handling wear with some hand-soil, the spine is lightly toned.. Comenius, a visionary in education, was a Moravian Protestant bishop, a refugee, and an early advocate of universal education, earning him the title “Father of Modern Education.” His book, “The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart,” circa 1620, is primarily an allegory employing common allegorical elements of his era. In it, he portrays the world as a town and its inhabitants as lost in their own self-made labyrinths. The book follows a pilgrim navigating the deceptive and chaotic “Labyrinth of the World” before finding true peace in the “Paradise of the Heart,” symbolizing a personal retreat into faith and divine wisdom. It serves as both a critique of society and a guide to spiritual enlightenment, reflecting Comenius’ deep religious beliefs and educational philosophy. Despite receiving “rose-colored glasses” from Delusion, the Pilgrim sees the world’s harsh reality. Comenius criticizes all societal strata, from nobility to beggars, philosophers to knights. As absurd situations unfold, the Pilgrim despairs, suggesting that humanity has forgotten the path to spiritual redemption. In the second part, “The Paradise of the Heart,” Comenius addresses hope and renewal within, emphasizing acceptance of Christ as salvation. This work ultimately reveals his enduring belief in a better world, a central theme in his philosophy. Remarkably, the book mirrors Comenius’ life experiences and resonates with those living behind the Iron Curtain during the Communist era, highlighting themes like the ‘rose-colored’ glasses and ‘Potemkin Villages.’ Subjects: The Search for Truth and Meaning; Critique of Worldly Corruption; Christian Mysticism and Inner Peace; Social and Political Commentary of the 17th century; Human Folly and Vanity